After sleep (because honestly, we didn’t know what time it was), our bodies said it was US time for the first day in Europe. So, knocking the cobwebs from our brains, we headed out for the adventure of finding the main train station.
We chose to walk to the train station. The walk itself was fascinating, seeing all the architecture of the buildings. It took about 30 minutes to walk to the train station; Puerta de Atocha Station is a beauty in itself.
Now to the fun stuff. You really do have to like the people you travel with. Because once you hit a place as big as a main train station, people are everywhere, everything is in a language you don’t speak, and you are on their turf. Don’t be a “Karen” or a “Ken”! Take a deep breath and scope things out. The amazing thing about European train stations, in my experience, is their departures and arrivals boards. Study the boards, get a feel for reading them. Then find the entrance to the train platforms. Ask questions to the train personnel there. Be patient with your fellow travelers and train personnel.
We found the train station, walked around, each telling the other, It’s this way. No, it’s that way. No, I think we should go upstairs. But the sign says…
We did eventually find the entrance to the platforms, and it was different from other train stations we’ve used. Madrid’s Atocha Train Station has scanners for your luggage and carry-on items. If you have no luggage or carry-ons, you are wanded. This is new to us, as at other stations we just walk in and find which platform we need.
We discovered that there were actually two different departure platforms. After being somewhat sure we could figure out the station, we moved on to the Metro Station to figure that out and find a ride back to the apartment. We purchased our MetroCards, located the Metro train we needed to get back to Plaza Sol, and then went to the Metro platform and waited.
Once the train arrived, we got on, hoping for the best. Again, the signage is generally good on the Metro. We knew our starting point, so when the subway train took off, we kinda held our breath until the next stop.
Yes! We are going in the correct direction. Three stops later, we popped out in front of the building where we are staying. Success, with a dash of… What are we doing? Is this the right way? Do we go up another level or down another level? But the sign says…
Back at our home base, we set out to find dinner. Now, let me tell you, Spanish people eat their dinner very late at night, usually between 9 PM and midnight. But we live on a farm where we routinely eat around seven, watch a show, then retire to bed by… well, 9 PM.
We walked a little more to Plaza Mayor, where sidewalk cafes and restaurants abound. After picking one of them, more or less at random, we ordered tapas and beers. Tapas are small bites meant to be shared, which is perfect for us Vacationeers who generally share food anyway. We ate fried croquettes filled with cheese and jamón (Spanish cured ham), a cheese board with slices of Manchego, and a bowl of delicious Spanish olives (so they tell me — I don’t like olives myself).
Then it was back to the apartment to try to catch up on sleep and realign our bodies to Eurotime… which was 9 PM (I think).
Tracy ~ Reader of Maps
Read the maps!!!
I love getting to go on this adventure with you